Clock system.



E. E. YAXLEY.

CLOCK SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED OUT. 26, 1908.

Patented Jan. 12, 1909.

WITNESSES:

ERNEST E. YAXLEY Kw A TTORNE Y UNITED @TATPB PATENT OFFEQE,

ERNEST E. YAXLEY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO MONAROH TELEPHONEMANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF CHICAGO,

ILLINOIS.

ILLINOIS, A OORPORAIJON OF cLooK SYSTEM.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 12, 1909.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, Banner E. YAXLEI, citizen of the United States,residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, haveinvented a certain new and useful Improvement in Clock Systems, of whichthe following is a full, clear, concise, and exact description,reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of thisspecification.

My invention relates to clock systems and resides in a clock systememploying a master clock mechanism or master timingdevice that includesclectro-magnetic mechanism for periodically winding the master clock orotherwise periodically energy in the motive device of the master clockmechanism, a relay, switching mechanism operablcl1 y the aforesaidelectro-inagnetic mechanism to energize the relay whenever saidelectric-magnetic mechanism is operated, and sub ClOCKS or timingdevices (one or more) in a circuit governed by the relay, the switchgoverned by the relay for the control of the sub clock circuit beingadapted to be restored slowly to its normal condition after it isreleased by the magnet of the relay, thereby giying ample'timc foradjustment or operation of the timing devices in the sub clock circuit.magnetic devices of the sub clock, by maintaining the hands or otherindicating elements of the sub clocks in synchronism with the masterclock, constitute synchronizing devices, and I, therefore, do not wishto limit myself to sub clock mechanisms in which only electro-magnetsare employed for operating the clocks. By means-oi my inntion it isimmaterial for how short a spac-c of time the energizing circuit of therelay'is closed, as the switchin the sub clock circuit is caused toresume its normal position with suliicient slowness to permit theelectro-magnets of the sub clocks or timing devices to perform theirfunctions.-

.litherto difficulty has been experienced in synchronizin because of theshortness of the time during which the synchronizing circuit for thesaid clocks was kept closed,

it frequently happening that the circuits would not be kept closed longenough to permit the synchronizing function or the clock 7 operatingfunction to be performed.

- In accordance with my invention, the advantages which I seek may besecured withstoring The cl ctro out causing the mechanism that isactuated by the power device in which energy is stored by theclectro-magnet, to operate a special switching mechanism, inasmuch as Iam enabled to secure the results sought by mere circuit connections withthe switching mechanism that is already employed in the master clockmechanism for including the electroenagnet of the master clock incircuit to replenish power in the power device and to open the circuitofsaid electromagnet when power-has been replenished, though I do notwish to be limited to the employment of this identical switchingmechanism.

My invention may be employed in connection with the clock mechanismshown in my application Serial No. 424,760, filed April 2, 1908, whereinI have illustrated and claimed a clock mechanism'including aneleetro-magnet, a power device in which energy is stored by theelectro-magnet when energized,mechanism operable by said power de ice toenable the transmission of power therefrom to perform work, switchingmechanism operated when the power device has transmitted energyreplenished therein by the. electro-magnet to close circuit through theelectro-magnet, whereby energy in the power device may be replenishedand operated when said eleetroanagnet has discharged its function ofstoring energydn the power device, to exclude the electromagnet fromcircuit. 1 do not wish to be limited, however, in all embodiments of theinvention to the employment of the master clock mechanism whoseoperating electro-magnet has circuit opened therethrough only when thearmature of such electromagnet has been fully attracted.

I will explain my invention more fully by reference to the accompanyingdrawing, showing an embodiment thereof as employed in connection withthe clock mechanism forming the subject matter of my aforesaid'copending application, the drawing illuswhich torque is initiallyapplied for. the purpose or operating thebalance of-the train res uponan armature e and power is effectively exerted upon the pawl 0 by thespring d through sald armature, it being understood that this power iseffectively exerted during the time that the magnet f provided for thearmature is in open circuit. When thearmature has completed its normalreceding movement from its electro-magnet, the circuit including theelectro-magnet and a suitable source of current, as the battery 9, isclosed between the contacts h and i, as will be presently described,whereby the tension of the spring d is increased for the purpose ofrenewing the power that is required to operate the motor. Durin theattraction of the armature this circuit is maintained closed, as I willnow describe. To accomplish this result in the embodiment of theinvention shown, Ienable the holding pawl or detent is to act upon thespring contact 2' in such a manner that when the actuating pawl 0 hasmoved the wheel 1) its predetermined arc-ail distance, preferably onetooth,

the holding pawl will drop into engagement with a fresh tooth and permitthe spring contact '5 to engage the contact lz by reason of theresiliency of the spring contact 91, the spring contact 2' having beenplaced under increased tension byreason of the depression of the detentis during the movement of the wheel I) the space of one tooth. It will,therefore, be seen that the contact 2' practically travels with thedetent Zr, so that when said dctent engages a new tooth, it closescircuit through the magnet.

in order to open the circuit, the spring 71. is lifted, which liftingoperation takes place when the armature e-has been fully attrac t ed, itbeing understood that when the armature is fully attracted, theactuating pawl chas engaged a fresh tooth, the pawl, when dropping intoengagement with a fresh tooth, permitting an agency to effect theelevation of the contact h, which agency is de-.

sirably in the form of an adjustable spring d that is su'liicientlystrong to overcome the tension of the spring /2, said spring Zpreferably acting upon the spring h through the pawl o and a roller postat, ctmstituting cam element, carried upon said pawl, the spring ithaving its end suitably upturned for engagement with said post, wherebythe pawl ni *anisin has cam engagement with said spillig 71.. Theupturned end of the spring 2. that engages the post an is so r lated l othe surface of the tooth over which the nose of the pawl o rides, thatduring the time that the nose of said pawl is riding over said toothsurface-the said tooth surface prevents the spring Z from having 'operative lifting action upon the upturned end ceases of the spring it,though during this movement the post at desirably does not leave thespring it. When the pawl has left the tooth surface over which it hasridden, the restraining infiuence of said tooth surface is removed,whereupon said pawl is brought into actuatingengagement with the toothover which it previously rode through the agency of the spring I,forming part of the pawl mechanism, which spring also lifts the contact.it through the intermediation of said pawl and the post- 121. carriedthereby and engaging said spring it, so that the springs or contacts 11and 2' are separated and are only separated when the pawl c has left thetooth surface over which it has ridden and has dropped into fresh toothengagement.

After the pawl has newly engaged a tooth, the circuit of the magnet fthen being open, the power device d acts through the armature e to movethe pawl c in a direction opposite to that in which it previously moved,whereby turning effort is applied to the initial wheel 6 by the powerdevice (Z to operate the motor train.

The detent it operates to prevent the wheel 0 from turning in adirection opposite to that which it follows through the agency of thepawl 0 during the time that the pawl 0 is riding over a tooth, thedetent 7c freshly engaging a vtooth when the pawl c has turned the wheelZ) a step. During the time that the pawl c is turning the wheel I), thedetent 7c rides over a tooth surface preparatory to a fresh. toothengagement, during which riding action of said detent the contact i isdepressed, the contact spring h being inherently adapted to follow thespring in its downward movement but being prevented from engaging thesame, by reason of the engagement of the contact h with the roller m. Itis desirable to preserve an approximately .fixed distance between thesprings h and i when they are separated,-to which end 1 preferablydispose the upturned enu of the spring l1. parallel with the surface ofthe tooth over which the detent 7a is riding. When the detent is hasescaped the tooth surfaceover which it has ridden and drops into freshtooth engagement, the.

When the circuit of the electro-magnet is I opened, the contact terminal2' is stationary.

The contact 2' is preferably made movable, as has been described, inorder-to simplify the construction, for 111 the embodiment shown thecontacts. h and i may be moved rela-' tively very quickly both inopening the circuit and in closing the circuit, a single'pair ofcontacts being only required. y

The relay circuit a is desirably opened and closed by the same switchingmechanismh 2' that is governed in the manner which has been described,the switch parts it 2' constituting terzninals for the relay circuit 12as well as terminals for the circuit of the magnet f,

the. lmttery 9 thus being common to the circuit of the magnet f and therelay circuit 71. The relay circuit a includes a relay 0 having anarmature p which is adapted to be at-' tracted quickly, butwhich isretarded when being retracted by the retractile spring 9 by means ofsuch suitable retarding device as that indicated at 1', the mechanism 1*including a retarding fan 8 that is operated by the armature when beingretracted. The armature carries a leaf spring a which is quickly zgementwith a contact a when the armare j) is attracted, the said armaturebeing ted to continue in-its motion after the a to remain in engagementfor an appreciable length of time after the armature 79 has 3 beenreleased by the magnet of the relay 0. In other words, the spring t, bybeing engaged with the contact a during the first part of the movementof the armature 79, be-

comes a. follow-up spring or contact serving to maintain engagement withthe contact u afterthe armature 12 has moved an appreciable distanceupon being retracted. The contacts I- and 'u are in serial relation witha battery '0 included in the timing device circuit '10, which. circuitis shown with two parallel limbs between which timing devices a areconnected, the circuit relation of one of the timing devices being shownsomewhat more fully than the circuit relation of the remaining timingdevices. illustrated in connection with one of the timing devices anelectro-magnet 3 in bridge between the limbs of the circuit to and incooperative relation withthe hand-operating mechanism 2 of the associatetiming device. As I have above pointed out, the contacts 71 and i aremoved relatively very quickly,

both in opening the circuit and in closing the c rcuit of the magnet f,and, consequently, of the relay 0. The closure of the contacts h and 2'is in fact too short to enable the sub clocks or timing devices a to bedirectly connected with said elements it and 2', on which account Iinterpose the relay. mechanism 0 and the switching mechanism t and abetween the master clock and the sub clocks w, as I have setforth.

"WhileI prefer to employ as a switching device for controlling thecircuit of the relay 0, the same switching mechanism, h 2', that isassociated with the magnet f, I do not wish to belimited to theemployment of the same iiililmg' mechanism in all embodiments of myinvention, I v

I am aware that it is old to govern the moved an d preferably thenbrought into en- There has been I circuits of clocks to be synchronizedby means of switching devices that are operated by the clock trains ofclocks, which arrangements are radically different from the arrangementI have herein set forth, as will be well understood withoutparticularexplanation.

By means of my invention, no extra load is imposed upon the clock trainthat is actuated by the power device, whereby many advantages ar'egained. Moreover, by means of my invention the control of the circuit tomay readily be adjusted within reasonable limits.

lVhile I have herein shown and particularly described the preferredembodiment of my invention, I do not wish to be limited to the precisearrangement illustrated, as changes may be made without departing fromthe spirit of the invention.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secureby Letters Patent the following 1. A master timing device including anelectro-magnet,- a power device in which energy is stored bytheelectro-magnet when energized, mechanism operable by said powerdevice to enable the transmission of power therefrom to perform work,switching mechanism operated when the power device has transmittedenergy replenished therein by the electro-magnet to close circuitthrough the eleetro-magnet, whereby energy in the power device may bereplenished, and operated when said electro-niagnet has discharged itsfunction of storing energyin the power device, to exclude theelectro-magnet from circuit, in combination with a relay whose circuitis governed by said switching mechanism, switching mechanism operated bythe relay magnet and slow to be restored to normal when released by therelay magnet, and a. circuit governed by the latter switching mechanismand including an elec' tro-magnetically controlled timing device.

A master timing device including an electro-magnet, a power device inwhich en ergy is stored by the electro-inagnet when energized, pawlmechanism operable by said power device to enable the transmission ofpower therefrom to perform work, a toothed wheel acted upon by said pawlmechanism, said pawl mechanism being operable by the electro-inagnet forthe purpose of enabling the pawl to engage a fresh tooth, switchingmechanism operated when the power device has transmitted energyreplenished therein by the electro magnet to close circuit through theelectro-magnet, whereby energy in the power device may be replenished,and operated bythe pawl mechanism when the pawl of the "pawl mechanismdrops to engage a fresh tooth, to exclude the clectro-magnetfron'icircuit, said power device being coupled ,with the actuating pawlof the pawl mech anism to enable said pawl to transmit power fromtheipower device to the toothed wheel" with a relay w'hosecircuit isgoverned by said switching mechanism, switching mechanism operated bythe relay magnet andv slow to be restored to normal when released by therelay magnet, and a circult governed by the latter switching mechanismand m- -cluding an electro-magnet-ically Controlled timing device. p

A master timing device including an electro-magnet, a power device inwhich energy is stored by the electro-magnet when energized, pawlmechanism operable by said power device to enable the transmission ofpower therefrom to perform work, a toothed wheel acted upon by said pawlmechanism, said pawl mechanism being operable by the electro-magnet forthe purpose of enabling the pawl to engage a fresh tooth, a switchingdevice for closing circuit through the electromagnet, whereby energy inthe power device may be replenished, said switching device including adetent adapted for tooth engagement with said wheel, and acting, whenbrought into fresh tooth engagement, to occasion the closure of saidcircuit, a switching device for excluding the electro-magnet fromcircuit and operated by the pawl mechanism when the pawl of the pawlmechanism drops to engage a fresh tooth, said power device being coupledwith the actuating pawl of the pawl mechanism to enable said pawl totransmit power fromthe power device to the toothed wheel in engagementwith the pawl, in combination with a relay whose circuit is governed bysaid switching mechanism, switching mechanism operated by the relaymagnetand slow to be restored to normal when released by the relaymagnet, and a circuit governed by the latter switching mechanism andincluding an electro-magnetically controlled timing device.

i. A master timing electro-magnet, a power device in which energy isstored by the electro-magnet when energized, pawl mechanism operable bysaid power device to enable the transmission of power therefrom toperform work, a toothed wheel acted upon by said pawl mechanism, saidpawl mechanism being operable by the electro-magnet for the purpose of,enabling the pawl to engage a fresh tooth, a switching device forclosing circuit through the electro-magnet,whereby energy in the powerdevice may be replenished, said switching device including a detentadapted for tooth engz'igement with said wheel, and acting, when broughtinto fresh tooth engagement, to occasion the closure of said circuit, aswitching device for excluding the electromagnet from circuit andoperated by the pawl mechanism when the pawl of the pawl mechanism dropsto engage a fresh tooth, said switching devices having a common contactmember which is actuated by the device including an,

pawl mechanism to exclude the electro-magnet from circuit and which isengaged by the contact governed by the detent to close circuit throughthe electro magnet, said power device being coupled with the actuatingpawl of the pawl mechanism to enable said pawl to transmit power fromthe power device to the toothed wheel in engagement with the pawl, incombination with a relay whose circuit is governed by said switchingmechanism, switching mechanism operate by the relay magnet and slow tobe restored to normal when released by the relay magnet, and a circuitgoverned by the latter switching mechanism and including anelectro-magnetically controlled timing device.

' 5. A master timing device including an electro-magnet, a power devicein which energy is stored by the electro-magnet when energized,mechanism operable by said power device to enable the'transmission ofpower therefrom to perform work, switching mechanism operated when thepower device has transmitted energy replenished therein by theelectro-magnet to close circuit through the electro-magnet, wherebyenergy in the power device may be replenished, and operated when saidelectro-magnet has discharged its function of storing energy in thepower device, to exclude the electro-magnet from circuit, in'combination with a relay whose circuit is governed by said electromagnetindependently of the power device,

.mechanism and including an electro-magnetically controlled timingdevice.

6. A master timing device including an electro-magnet, a power device inwhich energy is stored by the electro-magnet when energized, pawlmechanism operable by said power device to enable the transmission ofpower therefrom to perform worlr, a toothed wheel acted upon by saidpawl mechanism, said pawl mechanism being operable by the electromagnetfor the purpose ofenabling the pawl to engage a fresh tooth, switchingmechanism operated when the power device has transmitted energyreplenished therein by the electro-magnet to close circuit through theelectro magnet, whereby energy in. the power device may be replenished,and operated by the pawl mechanism season mechanism operated by therelay magnet and slow to be restored to normal when re leased by therelay magnet, and a circuit governed by the latter switching mechanismand including an electro-magnetically controlled timing device.

7. A master timing device including an electro-magnet, a power device inwhich enelectro-magnet, whereby energy in the power device may bereplenished, said switching device including a detent adapted for toothengagement with said wheel, and acting, when brought into fresh tooth.engagement, to occasion the closure of said circuit, a switching devicefor excludingthe electro-magnet'from circuit and operated by the pawlmechanisinwhen the pawl of the pawl mechanism drops to engage a freshtooth, said-power device being coupled with the actuating-pawl of thepawl mechanism to enable said pawl to transmit power from the powerdevice to the toothed wheel in engagement with the pawl, in combinationwith a relay whose circuit'is governed by said electro-magnetindependently of the power device, switching mechanism operatcd by therelay magnet and slow to be re stored to,normal when released by therelay magnet, and a circuit governed by the latter switching mechanismand including an electro-magnetically controlled timing device.

8. A master timing device including an electi e-magnet,- a power devicein which on ergyis'stored by the electro-magnet when energized, pawlmechanism operable by said power device to enable the transmission ofpower therefrom to perform work, a toothed wheel acted upon by said pawlmechanism, said pawl mechanism being operable by the electro-magnet forthe purpose-of enabling the pawl to engage a fresh tooth,-a switch-s ingdevice for closing circuit through the electro-magnet, whereby energy inthe power device may be replenished, said switching device including adetent adapted for tooth engagement with said wheel, and acting, whenbroughtinto fresh tooth engag'ement, to occasion the closure of saidcircuit, a switchin device for excluding the electroniagnet rem circuitand operated by the pawl-mechanism when the pawl of the pawl mechanismdrops to engage a fresh tooth, said switching devices having a common'contact member which is actuated by the pawl mechanism'to exclude theelectromagnet from circuit and which isengaged by the contact governedby the detent to close circuit through the electro-magnet,

said power device being coupled with the actuatingpawl of the pawlmechanism to enable said pawl to transmit power from the power device tothe toothed wheel in engagement with the pawl, in combination with arelay whose circuit is governed by said elettro-magnet independently ofthe power device, switching mechanism operated by the relay magnet andslow to be restored to normal when released by the relay magnet, and acircuit governed by the latter switching mechanism and including anelectro magnetically controlled timi'ngdevice.

9. A master timing device including an electro-magnet, a power device inwhich energy is stored by the electro-magnet when energized, mechanismoperable by said power device to enable the transmission of powertherefrom to perform work, switching mechanism operated when the powerdevice has transmitted energy replenished therein by theelectro-magnetto close circuit through the electro-magnet, wherebyenergy in the power device may be replenished, and operated when saidelectro'magnet has discharged its function of storing energy in ,thepower device, to exclude the electroniagnet from circuit, in combinat on.w1th a relay whose circuit is governed by said electro-magnetindependently of the mechanism for the operation of which the powerdevice is employed, switching mechanism operated by the relay and slowto be restored to normal when released by the relay magnet, and acircuit governed by the latter switching mechanism and including anelectro-magnetically controlled timing device.

10. A master timing device including an electro-magnet, a power devicein which energy is stored by the elect-ro-magnet when energized, pawlmechanism operable by said power device to enable the transmission ofpower therefrom to'perform work, a toothed wheel acted upon by said pawlmechanism, said pawl mechanism being operable by the electro-magnet forthe purpose of enabling the pawl to engage a fresh tooth, switchingmechanism; operated when the power device has transmitted energyreplenished therein by the electro-magnet to close circuit through theelectro-magnet, whereby energy in the power device may be replenished,and operated by the pawl mechanism when the pawl of the pawl mechanismdrops to en-. gage a fresh tooth, to exclude the electromagnet fromcircuit, said power device being coupled with the actuating pawl of the'toothed wheel in engagement with the pawl,

in combination with a relay whose circuit is governed by saidelectro-magnetindependtiming device.

ergy is stored by the electro-magnet--when' energized, pawl mechanismoperable by said power device to enable the transmission of powertherefrom to perform work, a toothed wheel acted upon by said pawlmechanism,

said pawl mechanism being operable by the electro-magnet for the purposeof enabling the pawl to engage a fresh tooth, a switching device forclosing circuit through the elec tro-magnet, whereby energy in the.power device may be replenished, said switching device including adetent adapted for tooth engagement with said wheel, and acting, whenbroughtinto fresh tooth engagement, to occasion the closure of saidcircuit, a switching device for excluding the electromagnet from circuitand operated by the pawl mechanism when the pawl of the pawl mechanismdrops to engage a fresh tooth, said power device being coupled with theactuating pawl of the pawl mechanism to enable said pawl to transmitpower from the power device to the toothed wheel in engagement with thepawl, in combination with a relay whose circuit is governed by saidelectro-ma'gnet independently of the mechanism for the operation ofwhich the power device is employed, switching mechanism operated bytherelay and slow to be restored to normal when released by the relaymagnet, and a circuit governed by the latter switching mechanism'andincluding an electro-magneticallycontrolled timing device.

12. A master timing device including an electromagnet. a power device inwhich energy is t ed by the electro-magnet when energized, pawlmechanism operable by said power device to enable the transmission ofpower therefrom to perform work, a toothed wheel acted upon by said pawlmechanism,

said pawl mechanism'being operable by the" electro-magnet for thepurpose of enabling the pawl to engage a fresh tooth, a switching devicefor closing circuit through the electro-magnet, whereby energy in thepower device may be replenished, said switching device including adetent adapted for tooth engagement with said wheel, and acting, whenbrought into fresh tooth engagement, to occasion the closure of saidcircuit, a switching device for excluding the electromagnet from circuitand operated by the pawl mechanism when the pawl of the pawl mechanismdrops to engage a fresh tooth, said/ switching devices having a commoncontact member which is actuated by the 'pawl mechanism to exclude theelectro-mag circuit through the electro-magnet, said power device beingcoupled with the actuating pawl of the pawl mechanism to enable saidpawl to transmit power from the power device to the toothed wheel inengagement with the pawl, in combination with relay whose circuit isgoverned by said electromagnet independently of the mechanism for theoperation of which the power device is employed, switching mechanismoperated by the relay and slow to be restored to normal. when releasedby the relay magnet, a circuit governed by the latter switchingmechanism and. including an electro-mag netically controlled timingdevice,

13. A master timing device including an electro-magnet, a power devicein which energy is stored by the electro-inagnet when energized,mechanism operable by said power device to enable the transmission ofpower therefrom to perform worlr, switching mechanism operated to closecircuit through the electro-magnet, whereby energy in the power devicemay be replenished, and operated after circuit has been closed throughsaid electro-magnet, to exclude the electro-magnet from circuit, incombination with a relay whose-circuit is governed by said switchingmechanism, switching mechanism operated by the relay magnet and slow tobe restored to normal when released by the relay magnet, and a circuitgoverned by the latter switching mechanism and including anelectro-magnetically controlled. timing device.

14. A master timing device including an elc tro-magnet, apower devicein. which energy is stored by the electro-magnet when energized,mechanism operable by said power device to enable the transmission. ofpower therefrom to perform work, switching mechanism operated to closecircuit through the electro-magnet, whereby energy in the power devicemay be replenished, and operated after circuit has been closed throughsaid electro-magnet, tn exclude the electro-magnet from circuit, incombination with a relay whose circuit is governed by saidelectro-magnet independently of the power device, switching mechanismoper ated by the relay magnet and slow to be restored to normal whenreleased by the relay magnet, and a circuit governed by the latterswitching mechanism and including an electro-magnetically controlledtiming de ice.

15. A master timing device including an electro-magnet, a power devicein which energy is'stored by the electro-magnet when energized,mechanism operable by said power device to ""r ole the transmission ofpower therefrom perform work, switching mechanism operated to closecircuit through the eleotro-magnet, whereby energy in the power devicemay be replenished, and I operated after circuit has been closed throughsaid electro-inagnet, to exclude the electro-inagnet from circuit, incombination with a relay Whose circuit is governed by said electromagnet independently of the mechanism for the operation of which thepower device is employed, "switching mechanism operated by the relay andslow to be restored to normal when releasedby the relay magnet, and acircuit governed by the latter switching mechanism and including anelectro-magnetically controlled timing 15 device. r

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 23rd day ofOctober A. 1)., 1908.

ERNEST EYAXLEY.

Witnesses G. L. CRAGG, .L. G. 'S'I' OH.

